Is Using A Flashlight And A Traffic Wand On A Bicycle A Good Safety Measure?

[JAS]

As posted above, am wondering if using a flashlight and a traffic wand is a good safety measure on a bicycle? I just installed a luggage rack on the back of one of my bikes on Saturday. The Cygolite taillight is obscured by the rack. I have a rack mount on order, but in the meantime I still want some light to the rear when I ride. I have a Streamlight Stinger LED and a glow-in-the-dark traffic wand. Would it be a good idea to use it until my mount arrives and gets mounted? Also, should i use it on the steady mod or a blinking mode? I have read some things about the "moth effect" which makes me wonder about this.

 

[hamhanded]

Better than nothing, I think.

Blink for sure. I was once driving, saw a faint steady red light on the side of the road, briefly thought it may have been my headlights in a driveway reflector, only to then realize it was a bike. That was several seconds wasted, a blinker would have tipped me off immediately. Not many bikes at night over here.

What's the mother effect?

 

[defloyd77]

Using a white light as a tail light is a horrible, dangerous idea and in many places it's illegal.

As far as steady vs flash at night, steady. Your objective is both to be noticed and to be tracked. I've always recommended having both flash for attention grabbing and steady for tracking. As a cyclist I've had a lot of feedback from drivers, you vanish between those flashes and if for whatever reason you have to maneuver in an unpredictable fashion, you are putting yourself in great danger. You might not be as noticable with a steady light, you're still going to be noticed and more importantly, tracked.

Be careful out there and make sure to check your local laws and far as lighting on bikes.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Can you move the Cygolite to the rack?

 

[JAS]

Can you move the Cygolite to the rack?

I have a luggage rack mount or order and it should arrive this week.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

As posted above, am wondering if using a flashlight and a traffic wand is a good safety measure on a bicycle? I just installed a luggage rack on the back of one of my bikes on Saturday. The Cygolite taillight is obscured by the rack. I have a rack mount on order, but in the meantime I still want some light to the rear when I ride. I have a Streamlight Stinger LED and a glow-in-the-dark traffic wand. Would it be a good idea to use it until my mount arrives and gets mounted? Also, should i use it on the steady mod or a blinking mode? I have read some things about the "moth effect" which makes me wonder about this.

You need a red light on the back. From what I've read, blinking is better. Here is a good article on the subject:

In Order to Choose the Best Light for Your Ride, Think About What You Want It to Do

The Truth About Max Lumens

www.bicycling.com

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

Better than nothing, I think.

Blink for sure. I was once driving, saw a faint steady red light on the side of the road, briefly thought it may have been my headlights in a driveway reflector, only to then realize it was a bike. That was several seconds wasted, a blinker would have tipped me off immediately. Not many bikes at night over here.

What's the mother effect?

Have to say, I do find it worrying people have driving licences and drive like this. What if it had just been a person, another car or some other object. Expecting it to have only a blinking light for you to see it says more of you as a driver than anything.

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

I have a luggage rack mount or order and it should arrive this week.

Could you not cable tie (zip tie) it in place as a stop gap?

 

[blah9]

I always go with blinking front and rear lights during the day where the lights are more to just get attention and I figure that drivers can see the shape of me and my bike. I think of them as enhancers rather than the only visibility I have.

At night though I agree, I have always stuck with solid lights so I look more like motor vehicles and it should be easier to estimate my location. I do make sure that my rear light is very bright though rather than one of the more faintly-bright options that are out there.

 

[desert.snake]

As an option, hang 2 lanterns, one shines constantly, the second blinks - both problems are solved

My friend, when hunting fish at night with an underwater crossbow, hangs a Glotoob on a boat or on a tree. And turns on one of these modes

This allows to understand where it is relative to the lamp. Constant light can merge with distant points of light from houses and lanterns, and pulsating light can merge with stars or distant cars. Combined light turned out to be the most useful

but it is better to wear reflective clothing or stickers on clothes

Well, and read the local laws. In Germany, for example, clear standards have been introduced for bicycle lights in order to be visible without dazzling drivers

StVZO bike lights: everything you need to know

German bike lights have to meet stringent regulations, but should riders elsewhere also consider StVZO-compliant illumination?

www.bikeradar.com